Loveland, CO – JDX Racing came away from the American Le Mans Monterey 4-hour enduro at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca with valuable championship points after a disappointing 5th place finish.  After qualifying the gold liveried #11 JDX Racing / Hertz Porsche 5th in the GTC field, a late pit lane penalty resulted in a drive-thru plus 20 second hold, forcing their Porsche GT3 Cup car deeper into the field.

Mike Hedlund started the race and drove a great opening stint, to wheel the JDX Porsche around the historic 2.23 mile Laguna Seca raceway.  The yellow flags came out early and often, allowing for pit strategy to play a hand in the early going.  The team kept Mike out and shortly after the restart Mike made an aggressive inside move in turn 2 to claim the GTC class lead. Mike brought the car into the pits for the first full service, and only driver change of the day, under the green flag, sending Jan out in P4.

Mike Hedlund said, “ The race started off pretty good, though it was a little hectic especially the first few laps.  Once i settled in we made up a few positions on track and with some good strategy we found ourselves in P2 after the first restart. At that point I was able to get by the #22 car on the restart. I then just put my head down and tried to turn good  consistent laps. I cruised for the next hour or so, managing to pit the car at the end of my stint in P1. The car was pretty good and I had no issues – and it felt great being able to hand the car to Jan in the lead.”.

Jan Heylen got behind the wheel of the #11 JDX Racing / Hertz Porsche re-entering the race 4th in class.  Jan managed to run fast lap times all while having to deal with heavy traffic. A drink bottle problem presented itself late in the race, and in an attempt to solve the problem, the IMSA officials assessed a pit-lane violation that resulted in a drive thru plus a 20 second hold.  The penalty proved costly as Jan managed to finish 5th in class.

“It was a challenging weekend for us – we just didn’t quite have the pace to run at the front. At the end without the drive thru penalty, I think we could have had a podium. I was saving the brakes and tires most of the final stint, knowing that these GTC races always come down to the last few laps. I am really proud of the job Mike did today – he started 5th and drove a great opening stint to hand me the car in the lead. It was impressive.”, said Jan Heylen.

Harrison Brix, team Co-Owner went on to say, “Mike drove one hell of a race, with a great move inside on turn 2, getting by the Alex Job car.  There were a number of early yellows which played right into our strategy and Mike was able to stay out and cycled his way up to lead the GTC Field.  We seemed to run short of luck late in the race after being assessed a pit lane penalty that we honestly felt was unfairly assessed. But these are the highs and lows of racing.  We have plenty on our to-do list between now and Lime Rock – and we’ll be back stronger than ever”.

The next round the American Le Mans presented by Tequila Patrón is the Northeast Grand Prix at Lime Rock Park on Saturday, July 6th. ESPN2’s live coverage begins at 3pm ET on Saturday, July 6th.

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About JDX Racing:  Founded in 2008 and based outside of Denver, CO, JDX Racing represents the very best in professional motor sports. As part of the American Le Mans Series, JDX Racing competes in ten events throughout North America. JDX Racing is a single-car team featuring world-class drivers, outstanding crew members and progressive marketers from Champ Car, IndyCar, NASCAR, Trans-Am and the ChampCar Atlantic Championship series. For more information, please visit www.jdxracing.com. On Facebook at www.facebook.com/jdxracing, and on Twitter @jdxracing.

Hertz, a subsidiary of Hertz Global Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: HTZ), is the world’s largest airport general use car rental brand.  Hertz operates its car rental business through the Hertz, Dollar and Thrifty brands from approximately 10,400 corporate, licensee and franchisee locations.  Hertz is an inaugural member of Travel + Leisure’s World’s Best Awards Hall of Fame and was recently named, for the thirteenth time, by the magazine’s readers as the Best Car Rental Agency. Hertz was also voted the Best Overall Car Rental Company in Zagat’s 2012/13 U.S. Car Rental Survey, earning top honors in 14 additional categories, and the Company swept the global awards for Best Rewards Program and Best Overall Benefits from FlyerTalk.com. Product and service initiatives such as Hertz Gold Plus Rewards, NeverLost®, and unique cars and SUVs offered through the Company’s Adrenaline, Prestige and Green Traveler Collections, also set Hertz apart from the competition.  The company was founded in 1918 and is headquartered in Park Ridge, New Jersey. For more information, please visit www.hertz.com. Follow on Twitter with #HertzRacing.

Loveland, CO – JDX Racing fell short of it’s expectations in Long Beach.  After qualifying the gold liveried #11 JDX Racing / Hertz Porsche 5th in the GTC field, some on-track contact resulted in a punctured center mounted radiator, forcing the team to pit and lose ground on the field.

Mike Hedlund started the race and managed to run a clean opening stint through the chaos that can be the 11 turn, 1.968 mile street circuit.  The team took advantage of an early yellow flag and topped off fuel, a strategy that created an advantage on the following stop by shortening the fuel fill time.  A second yellow waved around the 40 minute mark and though the run to the end would be very tight on fuel, it was the obvious strategy.  This allowed for a full stop under yellow, a full fill, driver change and four tire stop.

Mike Hedlund said, “Long Beach is one tight track.  We started 5th – there was plenty of traffic through the start of the race, and getting in and out of the hairpin cleanly was my first goal.  This was my first visit to Long Beach, once I got the first few laps in with all that traffic I settled in and drove my race. The team called me in under the first yellow for a top off and that strategy really paid off”.

Jan got behind the wheel during the second full course caution and after a clean pit stop, the #11 JDX Racing / Hertz Porsche managed to leave the pit lane 3rd in class.  Shortly into Jan’s stint, misfortune struck.  Jan made light contact with the back of a Prototype, puncturing the center radiator, resulting in a lengthy repair in the pits.  The crew managed to make the repairs, but not before going 12 laps down to the GTC leader.

“It was nice to get back to Long Beach, it’s a super event. Mike did a great job bringing the car back in one piece and in P5.  An awesome pit stop and strategy put me on the track in P3, the car was good – good enough to take on the fight for the win.  I’m very disappointed with what happened in turn 11, a bad day for the championship”, said Jan Heylen.

Harrison Brix, team Co-Owner went on to say, “Winning at Long Beach takes a lot of hard work and strategy.  Jan ran the second fastest lap in the GTC class, we had a fast car, and the pit crew put us in a good spot to contend.  Contact with the wrong spot on the car can prove to be fatal and in this case, losing a radiator in such a short race proved costly.  We now must look forward to Laguna”.

The next round of the American Le Mans Series presented by Tequila Patrón is the American Le Mans Monterey from Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca on Saturday, May 11. Llive coverage is available on ESPN3 starting at 6:15pm ET on Saturday, May 11 and ESPN2’s tape delayed coverage begins at 4pm ET on Sunday, May 12.

Loveland, CO – JDX Racing rallied in the closing stages of the grueling Sebring 12 Hour endurance classic, the opening round of the 2013 American Le Mans Series presented by Tequila Patron, to score a hard fought fourth place finish in a deep GTC field of cars.

Jan Heylen started the race after qualifying the black and gold liveried Hertz Porsche GT3 Cup car  6th in the GTC class.  Early in his first stint, Jan ran in a comfortable third place, before having to pit a few laps early to replace a flat spotted tire. Following that strong opening stint, he was able to relax during the heat of the day, while his co-drivers ran in the top five most of the afternoon. Jan was then was put back to work for one long stint during the final three hours of the race.

Jan Heylen said, “It’s been a great experience so far with the JDX / Hertz team.  They have done a great job preparing for the 12 Hour.  I’m really impressed with the reliability of the Porsche – we managed to keep the car out of trouble and we had a fast car.  I think we are all a little disappointed in the results, we all came to Sebring for the race win.  Grabbing a fourth place finish was good for Championship points and I am looking forward to getting to Long Beach”.

Co-drivers Mike Hedlund and Jon Fogarty took over driving duties from about high noon until about 8 pm and managed to weave through the GTC field placing the JDX Racing, #11 Porsche first in class at the halfway point of the race. The team took the opportunity to pit again under a full course caution and during that period ran into some delays with a brake change, forcing the car down a lap to the class leaders – a lap which the team was not able to recover in the final four hours of the race.

“I’m pretty pleased with my overall performance at Sebring. During one of my stints we lost the rear wicker, and the car was pretty loose. I managed to keep the car at pace until I handed the car off to Jon.  We had a tough break on one of the stops with the brakes that caused us to go down a lap, it’s racing, it happens. We finished the race with a really fast car, which was our strategy all along.  We are really anxious to get to Long Beach and show the true potential of our team”, said Mike Hedlund.

Jon Fogarty managed his way back up to eighth before handing the car over to Jan Heylen to finish the race with a double stint.  Jan wheeled the car around the 3.74 mile course in the dark, gradually making up the lost time, while keeping the car out of trouble. Jan got a lap back late in the eleventh hour and pushed the field right to the drop of the checkered flag claiming fourth place, even picking up a position on the final lap of racing.

“The 12hr is a race that every sports car driver wants to run, and it was great to do it with such a top notch organization in JDX Racing.  Coming away with 4th place points is very respectable and I believe Mike and Jan will be able to move forward in the Championship between now and Petit, where I am excited to be rejoining the team”, said Jon Fogarty.

“The 12hr Sebring race is grueling on the team, drivers and the car.  Mike, Jan and Jon drove a great and mistake free race – which is much easier said than done at Sebring. It’s not the result we were looking for, but all things considered it’s a good start in competing for a Series Championship. A fourth place finish at Sebring gives us solid momentum to start our 2013 season – momentum which we are happy to take onto Long Beach”, Harrison Brix, team Co-Owner.

The green flag for Round 2 flies at 7:30 pm est on Saturday, April, 20th for the Tequila Patron American Le Mans Series at Long Beach. Live coverage streaming on ESPN.com begins at 7:15 pm est. A race replay will be broadcast on ABC Sunday, April, 21st at 1 pm est.

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About JDX Racing:  Founded in 2008 and based outside of Denver, CO, JDX Racing represents the very best in professional motor sports. As part of the American Le Mans Series, JDX Racing competes in ten events throughout North America. JDX Racing is a single-car team featuring world-class drivers, outstanding crew members and progressive marketers from Champ Car, IndyCar, NASCAR, Trans-Am and the ChampCar Atlantic Championship series. For more information, please visit www.jdxracing.com. On Facebook at www.facebook.com/jdxracing, and on Twitter @jdxracing.

Hertz, a subsidiary of Hertz Global Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: HTZ), is the world’s largest airport general use car rental brand.  Hertz operates its car rental business through the Hertz, Dollar and Thrifty brands from approximately 10,400 corporate, licensee and franchisee locations.  Hertz is an inaugural member of Travel + Leisure’s World’s Best Awards Hall of Fame and was recently named, for the thirteenth time, by the magazine’s readers as the Best Car Rental Agency. Hertz was also voted the Best Overall Car Rental Company in Zagat’s 2012/13 U.S. Car Rental Survey, earning top honors in 14 additional categories, and the Company swept the global awards for Best Rewards Program and Best Overall Benefits from FlyerTalk.com. Product and service initiatives such as Hertz Gold Plus Rewards, NeverLost®, and unique cars and SUVs offered through the Company’s Adrenaline, Prestige and Green Traveler Collections, also set Hertz apart from the competition.  The company was founded in 1918 and is headquartered in Park Ridge, New Jersey. For more information, please visit www.hertz.com. Follow on Twitter with #HertzRacing.

Loveland, CO – JDX Racing is proud to announce their return to American Le Mans Series competition for 2013 in the GT Challenge class, with returning sponsor Hertz and an all new driver lineup.

Coming off a strong sophomore season in the GTC class, including their first ALMS win at Mid-Ohio, JDX Racing has announced they will campaign the #11 JDX / Hertz Porsche GTC car for the complete 2013 ALMS season. Seasoned gentleman driver Mike Hedlund will anchor the driver roster with Belgian Jan Heylen joining Hedlund for the full 10 race campaign and veteran Jon Fogarty supporting at Sebring and Petit Le Mans.

Mike Hedlund hails from Woodside, CA and brings to JDX a strong foundation of endurance racing events, coupled with extensive experience driving Porsche GT3 Cup cars. Although 2013 represents Mike’s inaugural run in the Sebring 12 hour race, he has competed in multiple Rolex Series 24 hour races and captured a podium finish in the GTC class at the 2012 Petit Le Mans. Mike Hedlund commented, “I’m thrilled to be joining JDX for a full ALMS GTC season this year.  These guys  have put together a strong program and have continued to strengthen their presence in the ALMS. I couldn’t ask for two better teammates than Jan and Jon and I’m looking forward to showing what we can achieve in 2013”.

Jan Heylen brings to JDX an extensive racing background, including experience in Formula 3000, FIA GT3, Champ Car and Grand-Am.  Jan made his Sebring 12 hour debut in 2012 as an 11th hour (literally) addition to Conquest Racing’s LMP2 effort, claiming a podium finish in his first try.  Jan Heylen added, “I want to thank JDX and Mike for giving me this opportunity and I am very excited to be part of the team. I have total confidence in JDX and know we will be competitive everywhere we go.  Everybody is here for one thing only, and that’s to win! And that is no different for me”.

Jon Fogarty will drive in the endurance races with Mike and Jan.  Jon is a two time Rolex Grand-Am Series Champion and a two time Atlantic Series Champion. Most recently Jon captured pole position and a race win in the inaugural Rolex Series event at Circuit of the Americas.

JDX is also pleased to announce that Hertz will return as primary sponsor for 2013. Having joined JDX mid season in 2012, this will be the first full year of Hertz sponsorship in ALMS with JDX Racing.  The Partnership with Hertz displays their passion for success and motorsports as they have since introduced four new Porsche models into their rental fleet.  “JDX had a strong 2012 season, winning their first ALMS race at Mid-Ohio and we’re excited JDX will campaign the #11 JDX/Hertz Porsche GTC for the complete 2013 season. With a new line up of avid, passionate drivers, we’re confident their skills and expertise will continue to impress throughout the year,” commented Hertz Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Mark P. Frissora.

Team co-owner, Harrison Brix said “ We are excited to be back in the ALMS paddock this year and I believe that our new driver line up with Mike Hedlund, Jan Heylen and Jon Fogarty, is going to give our team plenty of time at the front of the GTC field. In addition, we are very proud that Hertz has committed to JDX Racing as our primary sponsor in 2013. Hertz recognizes the passion and enthusiasm of the American Le Mans series fan – and they understand the unique opportunity and importance of having access to these sports car racing enthusiasts”.

JDX would also like to thank our returning associate sponsors Luxierge,  Prestige Imports, Cosmichrome, Sacramento Chrome & Paint, Lightwerkz and Torque Brake Fluid.

The green flag for Round 1 of the American Le Mans Series’ 2013 season flies at 10:30 am est on Saturday, March, 16th for the 61st running of the Mobil One Twelve Hours of Sebring fueled by Fresh from Florida. Live coverage on Speed begins at 10:30 am est .

Loveland, Co – The JDX Racing, Hertz Racing #11 Porsche GT3 Cup GTC car will enter the final race of the 2012 American Le Mans Series presented by Tequila Patron season, Petit Le Mans, with some extra fire power behind the wheel.  Joining JDX regulars Chris Cumming and Michael Valiante, will be Sean Johnston, 2012 Porsche IMSA GT3 Cup Challenge by Yokohoma Champion.

Johnston clinched the Series Championship four weeks ago at VIR, impressively, in his rookie season of racing. In 2012 to date, Sean has won 7 times, (including the last 5 straight races), finished 2nd five times and 3rd once, placing him on the Podium 13 of the 14 races run thus far.

At Petit, Sean will be competing in the final two GT3 Cup Challenge races, as well as making his ALMS debut with the JDX Racing/Hertz Racing GTC class Porsche.

Harrison Brix, JDX Racing co-owner said, “There is no better way to cap off the ALMS season then at Petit Le Mans, a 1000 mile/10hour race of strategy, speed and endurance. We are extremely excited and fortunate to have with us the 2012 GT3 Cup Challenge Champion, Sean Johnston, who we have been watching all season long. Needless to say, his performance in GT3 Cup has been impressive. He got his first laps in the JDX GTC car at Road Atlanta on Monday and did a great job, so this has the makings of a great week. That Sean Johnston is moving up from the GT3 Series where Hertz is an Official Partner to our sponsored JDX Racing Porsche in ALMS, only adds to our excitement”.

“With my first laps in the GTC car having been completed this week, I’m happy to be opening a new chapter in my racing career, and that is endurance sports car racing! I had a great time this week, and am already learning so much about this new environment with so many different cars”, said Sean Johnston,  adding, “I’m loving it so far and looking forward to working with the JDX guys to kick-start my development as an endurance racing driver”.

It has been a great season and Hertz’s relationship with IMSA and JDX Racing has expanded our profile among this enthusiastic, high-performance car-loving audience,” commented Mark P. Frissora, Hertz Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. “JDX’s signing of Sean Johnston brings an additional, exciting element to the race. Sean’s on-track performance and extraordinary driving skills are top notch: his love of winning mirrors our passion here at Hertz and we’re confident the final race of the season will be one to remember.

JDX driver Chris Cumming commented, “I’m very happy to have Sean with us this week for Petit Le Mans.  He’s already proven to be fast, smart and consistent this year and is ready for his ALMS debut.  I”ve already enjoyed being exposed to his great enthusiasm and attitude.  It’s going to be an exciting week!”

The final race of the 2012 American Le Mans Series presented by Tequilla Patrón is Petit Le Mans powered by Mazda.  The 1,000 mile / 10-hour race from Road Atlanta is scheduled for 11:30 AM ET on Saturday, October 20th.  Full live coverage begins at 11:15 AM ET on ESPN3.com and ABC’s broadcast coverage begins on Sunday, October 21st at 1 PM  ET.

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About JDX Racing: Founded in 2008 and based outside of Denver, CO, JDX Racing respresents the very best in professional motor sports.  As part of the American Le Mans Series, JDX Racing competes in ten events throughout North America.  JDX Racing is a single-car team featuring world-class drivers, outstanding crew members and progressive marketers from Champ Car, IndyCar, NASCAR, Trans-Am and the ChampCar Atlantic Championship series. From more information, please visit www.jdxracing.com. On Facebook at www.facebook.com/jdxracing and on Twitter @jdxracing.

The Hertz Corporation, a subsidiary of Hertz Global Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: HTZ), is the world’s largest airport general use car rental brand, operating from approximately 8,500 locations in 150 countries worldwide. As of December 31, 2011, it operated a rental fleet of approximately 355,500 cars in the United States; and a combined rental fleet of approximately 174,800 cars internationally. The company was founded in 1918 and is headquartered in Park Ridge, New Jersey. For more information, please visit www.hertz.com

Loveland, CO – Following their roughing up in Baltimore two weeks earlier, the JDX team arrived ready to get back to form as they took to the challenging 3.27 mile full course layout at Virginia International Raceway – the first trip to VIR for both the ALMS and JDX Racing.

The team took advantage of a private test day, plus the usual official practice sessions to get drivers Chris Cumming and Michael Valiante plenty of track time prior to race day. .

JDX Racing co-owner Harrison Brix – “This is a real drivers track – so we knew the team would run strong here – as both Chris and Michael love the challenges that go with a fast and flowing, high commitment layout like VIR”.

Chris started the 4 Hour race and had to act quickly entering turn-one as a prototype locked up, hit another car, causing multiple cars to make contact and partially blocking the track.  After completing the first turn entirely on the infield grass, Chris got back on track with no damage, though with a significant loss of time and distance to the leader in GTC.  Chris drove the first 70 minutes of the race and worked his way up to 2nd in GTC, turning the quickest laps of all GTC drivers, and clawing back a large portion of the early deficit.  A full course yellow just shy of 75 minutes played right into the JDX strategy, allowing for the first pit stop, and what would turn out to be the team’s only driver change. The remaining 2 hours and 40 minutes would end up running green all the way to the end.

Michael took over for Chris and started chasing the Green Hornet and Alex Job cars, but early on in that stint the Green Hornet car made contact with a prototype and was damaged. They headed to the pits, but now the fight was coming from behind, as the NGT car was putting pressure on Michael.

Michael Valiante explained, “That first stint was crazy – and quite frankly, we had not set the car up to be fast in the heat of the day, so I was really having to hang on. It was tough – but our focus throughout practice was on the final hour of the race, and making sure we would have car speed at the end when it really counted.”

Following a routine pitstop for fuel and tires with 90 minutes remaining, the battle with Leh Keen in the Alex Job car was now a full-on fight – and with 68 minutes remaining in the race, Michael took the opportunity to pass the #22 car – a pass where the two cars were wheel-to-wheel for three corners! This pass was awarded the Battery Tender Hard Charger award for the race. “I saw an opportunity and went for it – and though Leh and I ran side-by-side for three corners, it was tough, but clean racing. I really enjoyed the fight.” said Michael.

From there things should have been straight forward, but that was not the case.  There was one more pitstop needed to get the car home for the win, and the team brought Michael in with 50 minutes remaining in the race.  That final stop would require fuel and tires – but not a full tank of fuel, as the car will normally run 70 minutes on a tank – and any extra time to ‘over fill’ the car would mean a loss of track position and maybe even the race win. The team cut it close, and at the end of the day, too close.

“Our strategy was pretty clear; we were leading the GTC Class and had Michael pit for a splash of fuel and four fresh tires.  The crew did a great job, a flawless stop and got Michael back out maintaining P1”, said Brix. “However that splash proved to be just a little light, as we went to reserve with five minutes remaining in the race, which would prove to be one lap short of the checkered flag.  We had to pit again with just under a minute left in the race. It was heartbreaking for everyone, but we came here to win and from a strategy standpoint, we did what was right.  All I can say is we’ll be back stronger than ever at Petit.”

The JDX Racing/Hertz #11 Porsche did manage a third place podium finish at the VIR 240, their fourth podium in five races. The team is headed home to Colorado for a few weeks and will be back on track at Road Atlanta for the final round of the 2012 Championship.

The final race of the 2012 American Le Mans Series presented by Tequilla Patrón is Petit Le Mans powered by Mazda.  The 1,000 mile / 10-hour race from Road Atlanta is scheduled for 11:30 AM ET on Saturday, October 20th.  Full live coverage begins at 11:15 AM ET on ESPN3.com and ABC’s broadcast coverage begins on Sunday, October 21st at 1 PM  ET.

Loveland, CO – JDX Racing took to the Streets of Baltimore this past weekend, in the 8th round of the American Le Mans Series presented by Tequila Patrón, where team drivers Chris Cumming and Michael Valiante faced some early challenges, and often.

Following a streak of podium finishes in the last three rounds, the JDX team arrived in Baltimore with both full time drivers and a good amount of momentum. The team’s first visit to Charm City started off with two practice sessions on Friday, which allowed Chris and Michael time to familiarize themselves with a track neither have competed on.  It quickly became apparent the Streets of Baltimore would represent a significant challenge for both car and drivers.

“We knew portions of the this race track were bumpy, but the main straightaway with the railroad crossing was something i have never experienced.  In fact, the organizers very sensibly decided to add a chicane for the afternoon practice session in order to slow the cars over the tracks. These are the realities of racing on street circuits sometimes,” said Michael Valiante.

JDX Racing co-owner Harrison Brix – “This was our first trip to Baltimore.  We ran our first practice session on Friday morning and realized we needed to go a little softer up front. Slight changes made between the two short practice sessions gave the boys a car they could drive with confidence.  This street course was very tough on the car and the drivers, but we found a set up our drivers could work with”.

Michael qualified the car 3rd in the GTC Class. At the drop of the Green Flag the 32 car field headed into the first turn, and the car ran into trouble early.  Traffic packed up in turn one and starting driver Chris Cumming was forced to bring the car to a complete stop to avoid contact.  In doing so another GTC car made contact with the left front, bending the wheel rim and puncturing the tire as well.  Chris limped the car around for approximately 3 laps until the pits opened. The #11 JDX Racing-Hertz car pitted under yellow, the team topped off fuel and changed all four tires before sending the car back out. Back under green flag conditions it was clear the car was running fine, with Chris setting competitive lap times and working his way back toward the front of the GTC field.

At the 30 minute mark of the race, the #55 BMW pushed Chris into the wall as he approached the chicane.  The BMW driver was assessed a 60 second stop and go penalty, however the damage was already done for JDX.  Taking on heavy right rear suspension damage the car was forced to pit for repairs,  which once repairs were complete the #11 JDX Racing Porsche was down 15 laps. Chris continued driving to the 90 minute mark of the race, then pitted to get Michael in the car to finish.

“Some weekends just don’t go your way – unfortunately this was one of them.  It’s disappointing because we felt Baltimore was going to be a good event for us.  The JDX team did a great job as usual.  The only thing we can do now is focus on the next round at VIR in two weeks.”, said driver Chris Cumming.

The American Le Mans presented by Tequila Patrón returns to action at Virginia International Raceway for the VIR 240 on Saturday, September 15th. The four-hour race is scheduled for 2:30 pm ET from the 3.27-mile, 17-turn VIR Full course.  Live coverage is available starting at 2:15 pm ET on ESPN3.com, or Sunday at 5:00 pm ET on ESPN2.

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About JDX Racing:  Founded in 2008 and based outside of Denver, CO, JDX Racing represents the very best in professional motor sports. As part of the American Le Mans Series, JDX Racing competes in ten events throughout North America. JDX Racing is a single-car team featuring world-class drivers, outstanding crew members and progressive marketers from Champ Car, IndyCar, NASCAR, Trans-Am and the ChampCar Atlantic Championship series. For more information, please visit www.jdxracing.com. On Facebook at www.facebook.com/jdxracing. On Twitter @jdxracing.

The Hertz Corporation, a subsidiary of Hertz Global Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: HTZ), is the world’s largest airport general use car rental brand, operating from approximately 8,500 locations in 150 countries worldwide. As of December 31, 2011, it operated a rental fleet of approximately 355,500 cars in the United States; and a combined rental fleet of approximately 174,800 cars internationally. The company was founded in 1918 and is headquartered in Park Ridge, New Jersey. For more information, please visit www.hertz.com

Loveland, CO – JDX Racing execution was on the mark this past weekend at the Road America Road Race Showcase, in the 7th round of the American Le Mans Series presented by Tequila Patrón, where drivers Chris Cumming and Martin Ragginger brought the JDX-Hertz Porsche GTC car home to a hard fought 2nd place finish, the teams’ third straight podium finish.

Two weeks earlier, their hard work and determination rewarded the team with a flawless run to the checkered flag at the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Challenge. Following that dominating victory in Round 6 of the American Le Mans Series, the JDX team arrived in Elkhart Lake ready to continue the momentum.

JDX co-owner Harrison Brix – “What can I say, the entire team was perfect today – it was a great performance and one of our best races this season.. I’m so proud of our guys, they have worked tirelessly all season.  It’s been a long road getting to this point but all that hard work and dedication has rewarded us with three straight podium finishes in the GTC Class.”

JDX Racing did not have the services of their full time driver Michael Valiante, who had commitments prior to the release of the 2012 season schedule. In an effort to continue building on the team’s competitive momentum, JDX Racing sought out the services of Martin Ragginger, aka Raggi, to join JDX regular Chris Cumming.

“I’m very proud of the entire JDX team for a job well done this weekend. The crew had to work extra hard to get us back on track after a couple of setbacks during the event and performed flawlessly on pit lane during the race”, said driver Chris Cumming.

Cumming went on to say “Raggi had a long hard fight in the closing stint and after everything that happened this weekend, 2nd place almost feels like a win”.

The second place finish didn’t happen without a lot of hard work.. The #11 JDX-Hertz Porsche took on some serious damage after on-track contact in the second practice session – when a less experienced PC driver made contact with the car causing damage to the right front suspension.  The JDX crew worked feverishly in the paddock to get the car out for the last half of qualifying where the team qualified 6th.

“The car wasn’t straight – we had such a short window to get the car repaired and back out for qualifying, we didn’t have time to get the car set up the way we wanted” said Brix.  “We had a fast car all weekend, and with a four-hour race like Road America, we knew we could take the time after qualifying to dial in our set-up” After qualifying the car 6th, the team had the right strategy and knew it would come down to the precise execution. Chris Cumming started the race and quickly sliced through the GTC field, making smart decisions and keeping the car out of trouble. After driving the car for nearly 2 hours, Chris brought the car into the pits leading the class.

Raggi said “My first race at Road America was really great, a second place finish I’m very happy and proud of everyone on our team. We were a bit unlucky to get hit by a prototype in free practice which really didnt help us, but what I saw after that was pure teamwork. Everyone on the JDX team knew what we could do and we tried to fix all the small issues we had for the race. We had a clean race with no mistakes, Chris drove a fantastic stint and our pit crew did an awesome job”.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The American Le Mans Series presented by Tequila Patrón next heads to the streets of Baltimore, MD, for Round 8 of the Championshp.  The Baltimore Sports Car Challenge presented by SRT is scheduled for 4:30 p.m. ET on Saturday, Sept 1 on the temporary street circuit in Balitmore’s Inner Harbor.  ABC’s broadcast begins at noon ET on Sunday, Sept. 2nd.  Full live coverage starts at 4:15 p.m ET on ESPN3.com

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About JDX Racing:  Founded in 2008 and based outside of Denver, CO, JDX Racing represents the very best in professional motor sports. As part of the American Le Mans Series, JDX Racing competes in ten events throughout North America. JDX Racing is a single-car team featuring world-class drivers, outstanding crew members and progressive marketers from Champ Car, IndyCar, NASCAR, Trans-Am and the ChampCar Atlantic Championship series. For more information, please visit www.jdxracing.com. On Facebook at www.facebook.com/jdxracing. On Twitter @jdxracing.

The Hertz Corporation, a subsidiary of Hertz Global Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: HTZ), is the world’s largest airport general use car rental brand, operating from approximately 8,500 locations in 150 countries worldwide. As of December 31, 2011, it operated a rental fleet of approximately 355,500 cars in the United States; and a combined rental fleet of approximately 174,800 cars internationally. The company was founded in 1918 and is headquartered in Park Ridge, New Jersey. For more information, please visit www.hertz.com

Through an eventful 2011 season of GTC competition, the JDX Racing squad rolled through the highs and lows of racing. Finishing fourth at Sebring, narrowly missing the podium by just a few seconds in their first ever event was the highlight of the season. The low point was not taking the green flag at the season-ending Petit Le Mans race after their #11 GTC Porsche was hit and totaled by an errant LMP car during a practice session. The JDX team used the winter season to rebuild their car and make improvements at all levels of the organization.

Team co-owner, Harrison Brix said “ We are excited to be back in the ALMS paddock this year and I believe that our new driver line up with Chris Cumming, Michael Valiante, Mark Bullitt and Kévin Estre, is going to give our team plenty of time at the front of the GTC field. We’ve maximized our time in the shop, focused on car development and improving all of our processes. We learned a great deal during the 2011 season and we are looking to carry that momentum into 2012.”

Chris Cumming, a veteran IMSA Challenge Porsche GT3 Cup driver, who drove with JDX Racing for three events in 2011, added, “I’m thrilled to be returning to JDX for a full ALMS GTC season this year. We’ve worked hard over the winter to put together a strong program. I couldn’t ask for two better teammates than Mark and Michael and I’m looking forward to showing what we can achieve in 2012.”

Michael Valiante, one of open-wheel racing’s brightest young stars as well as an accomplished endurance racer continued “I worked with Chris last season in a driver coaching role when he competed in GT3 Cup and have known him for many years racing Karts. He knows this Porsche very well and is fast and smart behind the wheel. I have not driven with Mark before, but I know he and Chris were front running drivers in the GT3 Cup class. I believe we can challenge for the podium at every event.”

Adding to the driver roster for the long distance events is Mark Bullitt, another veteran of the IMSA Challenge Porsche GT3 Cup series. Bullitt remarked, “I’m looking forward to running with JDX in this upcoming GTC season. We have a strong and well-prepared team as well as fast and reliable drivers. Chris and I had some good battles in last year’s GT3 series and I’m happy to have him as my teammate. Michael has an excellent record and I know he will help us get the most out of the car and ourselves. With Kevin filling in for Michael at Sebring, I’m confident this team will execute on all levels and we have a good chance of finishing on the top step.”

Kévin Estre commented, “I’m really excited to be part of the Mobil 1 12 Hours of Sebring – plus I am very proud that JDX Racing has the confidence in my ability to offer me a chance to race with them in America’s most historic endurance race.” Estre continued, “I’ve had some time testing with Chris and Mark recently and have total confidence in my co-drivers, the car and the team”

The green flag for Round 1 of the American Le Mans Series’ 2012 season flies at 10:30 am Eastern Time on Saturday, March, 17^th. The race will be streamed live on www.espn3.com starting at 10:15 am Eastern. The race will be broadcast on tape delay, Sunday March 18 on the ABC Network beginning at 12:00 pm Eastern Time.

About JDX Racing:  Founded in 2008 and based outside of Denver, CO, JDX Racing represents the very best in professional motorsports. As part of the American Le Mans Series, JDX Racing competes in 10 events throughout North America. JDX Racing 2012 is a one-car team featuring world-class drivers, outstanding crewmembers and progressive marketers from Champ Car, IndyCar, NASCAR, Trans-Am and the Champ Car Atlantic Championship series.

For more information, please visit www.jdxracing.com

Facebook – JDX Racing

Twitter – @jdxracing

Mosport is a track that is on the short list of many drivers’ “must drive” list. With its incredible speed and high level of difficulty, the 2.459-mile, 10-turn layout is one of only a handful of racetracks in the world that is largely unchanged from its 1960s-era original design. The track has some of the quickest and most daunting turns on the ALMS calendar, demanding the most from car and driver. With a track surface that flows over the natural hills and valleys of the Ontario countryside, every corner is a spectacle to watch and appreciate the skill level of the drivers running flat out and wheel to wheel.

JDX Racing driver Nick Ham commented, “As a driver, this track is incredibly fast and the consequences of putting a wheel wrong can be high. There’s no racetrack we go to that requires a higher level of commitment from the drivers, which I personally relish. Qualifying well and staying out of trouble is going to be our key to finishing well here this weekend. The race is only 2 hours and 45 minutes, so there’ s no time for mistakes.” Ham continued, “ This car gets better every time I drive it. That’s what makes this team great; we’re constantly improving and looking at every piece of the car to figure out how we can improve its performance

Chris Cumming, a native of Vancouver, British Columbia, drove with the JDX squad back in March at Sebring International Raceway for the Mobil 1 12 Hours of Sebring and has been actively competing in the IMSA GT3 Cup Challenge series since that time.

Cumming said about Mosport, “As a Canadian driver, every trip to Mosport is a special experience. I haven’t been in the JDX Racing Porsche GTC car since March at the 12 hours of Sebring. Since then, I know the entire JDX team has been working overtime to extract every ounce of speed from their Porsche 997 Cup car, so I’m excited about my reunion with JDX Racing.”

JDX Team Principal, Harrison Brix added, “We are excited to have Chris back in the car with us this weekend. He did a great job in his first GTC race at Sebring back in March, and he’s coming off a strong second place finish at Lime Rock two weeks ago in the IMSA GT3 Challenge series. We are also very excited to be announcing our partnership with Gold Touch Inc. and to be showcasing their very unique, spray-on chrome process on our all-gold Porsche racecar. Thanks to Gold Touch, the on-track presence of the JDX #11 Porsche  will be even more brilliant than it has been so far in 2011. The fans are going to love it!”

Terry Collins, President of Gold Touch, Inc., said “ We are thrilled about our new partnership with JDX Racing. We are always eager to showcase how our spray chrome and gold products are unquestionably the best on the market. The Cosmichrome finish on the JDX Racing Porsche GTC car will provide a beautiful and durable finish that will shine-on, even in the incredibly harsh environment of ALMS endurance racing.”

Round 4 of the American Le Mans Series’ 2011 season will be streamed live on www.espn3.com starting at 2:45 p.m. EST on Sunday, July 24. The race will also be broadcast on a same-day,  tape delayed basis on ESPN2 from 10:00 p.m. to midnight EST.

About Gold Touch, Inc.: Founded in Cleveland, Ohio in 1993, Gold Touch, Inc. is the market leader in ecologically advanced spray chrome and gold paint systems for the automotive, industrial, architectural, jewelry and fashion industries. Marketing products under the Cosmichrome, Tiva and InstaGold trade names, Gold Touch, Inc. has a broad product line for professionals and consumers alike. For more information, visit www.goldtouchinc.com or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/Cosmichrom

About JDX Racing: Founded in 2008 and based outside of Denver, CO, JDX Racing represents the very best in professional motorsports. As part of the American Le Mans Series, JDX Racing competes in 9 events throughout North America. JDX Racing 2011 is a one-car team featuring world-class drivers, outstanding crew members and progressive marketers from Champ Car, IndyCar, NASCAR, Trans-Am and the ChampCar Atlantic Championship series. For more information, please visit www.jdxracing.com